WEIGHT GAIN FOODS FOR BABIES | O(NEWBORN) TO 12 MONTH HOMEMADE BABY WEIGHT GAINING FOODS | HOW TO INCREASE BABY WEIGHT?
It’s hard to imagine that your little one could be any cuter — but you might be wondering whether they’re growing as fast as they should.
If you’re worried that your baby might weigh too little, bear in mind that newborns normally lose 3–7% (and up to 10%) of their birth weight in their first few days of life, which they regain by about the end of their second week.
Until they reach the 6-month mark, infants should gain about 1 pound (0.45 kg) or more each month. They should weigh about triple their birth weight around the end of their first year.
Keep in mind that these numbers are averages, and a healthy baby may have different weight gain numbers depending on their birth weight, rate of linear growth, and other factors.
A baby under 6 months that’s putting on less weight than average can be troubling. Since all or most of their calories at this point come from breastmilk, formula, or both, what you can control right now is how often they feed and whether they’re getting enough.
1. Breastmilk or infant formula — often and enough
Breastfed newborns will feed every 2–3 hours, so account for 8–12 or more feedings per day for the first 4 months.
Be sure to let your infant fully empty your breast. One reason this is recommended is because hindmilk, which comes out last during a feeding, may be richer than foremilk, which comes out first.
Let your baby feed fully, until your breast feels very soft. This will ensure they’re getting all the milk available, and it sends your body a message to make more.
You can try consuming foods that are thought to increase breastmilk production. These include lactation teas or bars with fenugreek, blessed thistle, or fennel. Oatmeal and dark beer may also help. Still, more research on these solutions is needed.
Additionally, avoid wearing tight-fitting bras or tops.
Until your baby begins solid foods, they will not need to drink water. Offer them breastmilk or formula instead to maximize the number of calories you’re getting into their tiny tummies.
Your doctor may also ask about any latching issues and investigate any underlying medical issues that may affect your baby’s nutrient absorption or metabolism at this age.
Speak with a pediatrician for guidance if you’re considering whether to supplement breastfeeding with formula or wondering which formula to choose.
Most babies will start to show readiness to eat solid foods around the 6-month mark.
Speak with your healthcare professional about when to start your baby on complementary solid foods.
BANANA:
Banana is an excellent source of natural energy, a single banana provides 100+ calories. Bananas are high in carbohydrates, potassium, dietary fiber, Vitamins C, and B6.
Bananas are the `quick energy providers and are easy to grab and eat. It makes it easy to feed your baby while you are traveling or outside your home. Just carry 1-2 bananas and give them to your child to eat. You can start introducing the banana to your baby after six months of age. You can try bananas in smoothies, shakes, cakes, or puddings.
RAGI
Ragi is a very nutritious and healthy millet. Ragi is also known as finger millet, ‘Nachni’. It is one of the best food for babies to gain weight. Ragi is rich in calcium, protein, iron, dietary fiber, Vitamins B1, B2, and other minerals, which are required for your baby’s development.
Ragi is easily digestible by the baby. It is advised to include ragi in the diet of your child. For babies, you can prepare ragi cereal or porridge. For toddlers, you can prepare ragi porridge, ragi dosa, ragi idlis, ragi roti, ragi ladoos, ragi cake, and cookies.
GHEE:
Ghee is a clarified form of butter having high nutritional value. Desi Ghee is one of the best food sources for weight gain in babies. You can start introducing the ghee in your baby’s food after 8 months. Like, you can start with adding a few drops of ghee while preparing khichdi for your child and increasing the quantity as per the requirement.
As fat content in ghee is really high so please be moderate in its usage for your baby. You can make ghee from milk at home also. Just add a little amount of ghee to dal, porridge, chapati, paratha, or sabzi for your baby.
YOGURT:
A whole cream yogurt is a healthy option for children to gain weight. Yogurt provides the required amount of fat and nutritious calories that help your baby to gain weight. It is also a rich source of calcium, vitamins, and minerals.
Yogurt is easy to digest for your child. It helps to improve the immune system and works as a remedy in loose motions and gastric troubles.
Most pediatricians recommend starting introducing yogurt to the babies after 7-8 months of age.
Please note that you should avoid cow’s milk for your baby before one year of age.
Your baby’s tummy cannot digest the high levels of protein present in cow’s milk. But in the case of yogurt, it is a fermented milk product. During this fermentation process, bacteria present in curd break down milk protein and make it easy to digest by your baby’s tummy.
Please avoid buying flavored yogurts available in the market as they have high sugar content in them.
You can prepare curd rice, smoothies, and buttermilk for your child. You can also try the fruit-flavored curd for your child.
OATS:
Oats are rich in fiber and dietary nutrients and are low in saturated fat and cholesterol. It is a good source of iron, magnesium, zinc, thiamine, and phosphorous. Oats are easy to digest for babies and prevent constipation and inconsistent bowel movements. It can be a healthy breakfast option for your child to gain weight.
You can prepare oats porridge, oats pancakes, dosa, oats kheer, and oats cookies.
For making oats pancakes and dosa, you just need to make ground oatmeal by grinding oats in the food processor.
Foods for 10 to 12 months baby to weight gain:
Eggs:
Eggs are high in protein, saturated fat and are packed with minerals and vitamins A and B12. Eggs are a healthy option for your child’s growth and development. The egg is a good source of choline, which helps to regulate the nervous system and brain.
You should consult your doctor before introducing an egg to your child before 1 year of age. Start with egg yolk (yellow part) when your baby is 10 months old and give the white part of an egg only when the baby completes one year of its age.
Sometimes, children may have egg allergies reactions. In such cases, consult your doctor immediately.
It is believed that an egg a day keeps supplementary Vitamin away.
You can prepare boiled egg, scrambled egg, egg omelet, egg rice, or french toast for your child to have.
Butter:
Fat is a very important and essential part of your baby’s physical development. Your child’s growth and brain development are supported by a high-fat diet. Butter is one of the richest sources of fat. Butter provides the necessary fat, cholesterol, Vitamin A, and essential fatty acids. You must stick to unsalted butter for your baby.
Butter can be a good option for kids who’re thin. Include butter in your child’s diet in the right amount. Too much intake of butter can also put negative effects on the baby’s health.
Add a teaspoon of butter to your child’s food like in dal, khichdi, porridge, and soups to increase the fat content. You can prepare a butter sandwich for your child.
WHOLE WHEAT, PULSES & GRAINS:
Pulses are high in calories and help your baby to gain a healthy weight. For your 6+ months baby, you can start moong dal soup or dal ka pani as their first food.
Moong dal and urad dal are easy in digestion and are a really healthy option for your child. Pulses are rich in nutrients, protein, calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium. Pulses are low in fat and high in fiber.
You can introduce dals in multiple forms to your child’s food. Dal khichdi, dal soup, dal chilla, dal halwa.
You can use urad dal to prepare dal, dosa, and idli as well.
MILLETS:
They are rich in dietary fiber, proteins, antioxidants, minerals like zinc, iron, and magnesium. They can help your child to gain weight. It’s not a quick weight gain food but it is a healthy option to maintain a steady weight gain in children.
It is recommended to introduce millets to your child after 7 months.
You can introduce millets as cereal, porridge (Dalia), pancakes, chapati/roti.
Dry fruits:
Dry fruits like almonds, cashews, walnuts, raisins, pistachios, dried apricots, peaches, and seeds like sesame seeds, pumpkins seeds, flax seeds contain healthy fat which can help your child to gain weight.
You can add dried fruits in cereals, porridges, milkshakes, desserts, and seeds to bread, salads, and snacks. You can prepare mixed dry fruits powder to add to milk. It will increase the flavor and nutritive value of milk.
You can prepare healthy ladoo by having dried fruits and seeds for your kids.
SOURCE- BEINGHAPPYMOM